MLB Preseason Top Five: NL MVP

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NEW YORK - AUGUST 06: David Wright #5 of the New York Mets connects in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres on August 6, 2008 at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Image

With Albert Pujols winning the 2008 National League MVP award last year, he has the chance to defend his crown and go for his second straight MVP award in 2009.

However, Pujols will have very close company in the NL MVP chase this year and the usual suspects will probably be there again.

Here are my top five contenders for the NL MVP chase. (In no specific order.)

Notable Mentions

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 13: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat during a Spring Training game against the Texas Rangers on March 13, 2009 at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

Here are some guys that could possibly be in the race and even win it:

Manny Ramirez, .332 BA, 37 HR, 37 RBI

Jose Reyes, .297 BA, 16 HR, 68 RBI

Miguel Cabrera, .292 BA, 37 HR, 127 RBI

Chase Utley, .292 BA, 33 HR, 104 RBI

5. Ryan Braun

MILWAUKEE - JULY 31: Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers bats during their MLB game against the Chicago Cubs on July 31, 2008 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Cubs defeated the Brewers 11-4. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Over his first two years in the show, Ryan Braun has totaled 71 HR, 203 RBI, and a .301 BA.

Expect Ryan Braun to keep up his excellent performance from the last two years and continue it in the 2009 season.

4. Hanley Ramirez

MIAMI - JULY 30: Hanley Ramirez #2 of the Florida Marlins bats against the New York Mets on July 30, 2008 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Marlins defeated the Mets 7-4. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

After a .301 BA, 33 HR, 67 RBI and 35 steals season, Ramirez was the No. 1 pick in most fantasy drafts across the nation, and he will be right up there in the 2009 NL MVP race.

Ramirez is a manager's dream: Home runs, RBI, batting average, and steals.

3. Jimmy Rollins

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 27: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws the ball to first to force out Jason Bartlett #8 of the Tampa Bay Rays during the top of the third inning of game five of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 27, 2008 at Ci

Jimmy Rollins was a player who had what some considered an off-year last season. After winning MVP in 2007, his numbers dropped dramatically. I don't expect the same to happen this year.

Expect a 20-plus homer season and at least 80 RBI with 30 steals from the Phillies' shortstop this year.

2. Albert Pujols

JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals bats against the Florida Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium on February 25, 2009 in Jupiter, Florida. The Marlins and the Mets played to a 5-5 tie in 10 innin

With the 2008 NL MVP added to his resume, Pujols is ready to defend his crown and make another charge at the 2009 award. In 2008, he amassed 37 HR, 116 RBI, and a .357 BA. No wonder he won MVP.

1. David Wright

NEW YORK - AUGUST 22: David Wright #5 of the New York Mets hits an RBI single in the first inning against the Houston Astros on August 22, 2008 at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Ge

Here is my pick for the 2009 NL MVP Award. David Wright is a guy that's still on the rise, puts up big numbers every year, and is now known as one of the most dangerous hitters with the game on the line—just ask Puerto Rico.

In 2008, Wright stacked up 33 HR, 124 RBI, and a .302 BA. He doesn't show bad speed either with 15 stolen bases on the year. One of the best overall players in the game.

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